I'm starting to feel extremely discouraged and slightly panicky
Don't worry, it's not easy to do! There's some great YouTube videos that can help...but sometimes doctors can find it until the 12 week mark! Have you found your heartbeat in the placenta? It sounds loud and slow (will match your heart rate) but will likely register as 130s on your Doppler as it measures the arterial flow in and out. Once you find that, just angle the probe around without moving it off that spot, that's how I find mine!
Just remember: until about 12w, your uterus is most likely below your pelvic bone. You'll have better luck pushing in and angling down into your pelvis and going in small circles in one spot before moving horizontally. Also, you may need to go quite a bit to the side and angle inwards.
I'm only able to find mine occasionally. Even while I am listening, sometimes the baby moves into a position where I can't hear it.
K.
Son, K, 9 | Daughter, C, 5 | Daughter, M, expected November 7, 2016
I couldn't find it either and I'm 10 weeks tomorrow. I'm not that worried since I just had an ultrasound on Tuesday. I tried last night for about 20 minutes and this morning for 5-10. I've found my own heartbeat around where I think baby would be but not baby's, even my own heartbeat wasn't easy for me to find. I found it probably 10 minutes in while trying last night. I get too frustrated and quit otherwise I'd probably try for longer. I'm also afraid that the longer I try the harder I push the probe in and I'm sure it's okay but I'm a worrier!
I couldn't find it either and I'm 10 weeks tomorrow. I'm not that worried since I just had an ultrasound on Tuesday. I tried last night for about 20 minutes and this morning for 5-10. I've found my own heartbeat around where I think baby would be but not baby's, even my own heartbeat wasn't easy for me to find. I found it probably 10 minutes in while trying last night. I get too frustrated and quit otherwise I'd probably try for longer. I'm also afraid that the longer I try the harder I push the probe in and I'm sure it's okay but I'm a worrier!
This sounds just like me we also just had an u/s last Thursday but like you, I'm a worry wart so I start fearing the worst. Then yes, I worry about the effects of the doppler. Eye roll. I can't wait until the baby is big enough to feel movement for reassurance.
Have you found your heartbeat in the placenta? It sounds loud and slow (will match your heart rate) but will likely register as 130s on your Doppler as it measures the arterial flow in and out. Once you find that, just angle the probe around without moving it off that spot, that's how I find mine!
I am not going to admit that I am not even 8 weeks yet and may have already started looking....but the fact that I think I can hear my heartbeat in my placenta just literally made my day. I (hypothetically, you know, if I was trying) found my femoral artery and then found the heartbeat right over my pelvic bone. I am so excited that it is still some thing baby related!! Now I will put the Doppler away for two weeks and stop the insanity.
@alexlindzz Me too! I'm glad I'm not alone! Pregnancy has brought out a whole new level of worrying for me! I probably should have known better to even buy a Doppler.
I keep coming in this thread even though I don't even have a home Doppler...yet. I managed to avoid getting one my first 2 pregnancies but you ladies are testing my resolve.
@AlexLindzz (and anyone else freaked out at not finding the heartbeat) my OB said this morning that she refuses to try until 12 weeks because all it does it freak out her and the patient since it's so inconsistent to find early on. I told her I'd found them both in the last week and she still wouldn't try lol
I keep coming in this thread even though I don't even have a home Doppler...yet. I managed to avoid getting one my first 2 pregnancies but you ladies are testing my resolve.
Yes! This thread is along me want one, which is something I definitely did not expect.
I'm almost positive I found it! I did what @comealongponds said and stayed in the area where I could hear my own heartbeat and then angled it around. I definitely heard my own heartbeat and then faintly behind it a faster gallop type heartbeat. I tried to record it on my phone but it was too faint. I lifted the probe and wasn't able to find it again. It definitely isn't easy at all and now my hand is cramped!
I'm almost positive I found it! I did what @comealongponds said and stayed in the area where I could hear my own heartbeat and then angled it around. I definitely heard my own heartbeat and then faintly behind it a faster gallop type heartbeat. I tried to record it on my phone but it was too faint. I lifted the probe and wasn't able to find it again. It definitely isn't easy at all and now my hand is cramped!
Definitely sounds like you found it. There's lots of clips on YouTube if you want to be absolutely sure you heard the foetal heart beat.
I have been suffering from hand cramps too, haha.
K.
Son, K, 9 | Daughter, C, 5 | Daughter, M, expected November 7, 2016
Is anyone afraid to use their doppler to often? I would honestly use it everyday but I have limited myself to once a week because I keep hearing/reading conflicting info online on whether or not they are safe for frequent use.
Is anyone afraid to use their doppler to often? I would honestly use it everyday but I have limited myself to once a week because I keep hearing/reading conflicting info online on whether or not they are safe for frequent use.
Yeah. I've decided to knock it off for awhile especially still being in the 1st tri. It sounds like the FDA has stated it warms up tissue and they're not sure how/if that affects baby so to limit use.
I am definetely afraid to use it too much, I really should cut down to once a week but I think I used it a few times last week for reassurance. Maybe I'll try for once a week but twice a week MAX.
I didn't want to be annoying about jumping in all the time.
We don't know of any harm caused by ultrasound after decades of using it, that's the first important thing. There's plenty of (nonsense) blogs and stuff out there that completely misunderstand the science and get pageclicks from fearmongering articles, but youll find that about anything. It's possible - sound waves are energy, after all - but highly unlikely that the frequencies and intensities used in obstetric ultrasound or Doppler is harmful. But because we can't completely rule out the possibility of harm, non-diagnostic use is discouraged. All of medicine is risk vs. benefit, so if you're doing something 'recreationally' (thus for no medical benefit) then no amount of risk - actual or potential - is medically acceptable. It's one of those 'can't prove a negative' sort of situations. But it's really, really, really unlikely after decades of millions upon millions of scans per year that we've missed major risks associated with it.
As the FDA points out, ultrasound waves do increase temperature of tissue (this has clinical applications, actually) but at the intensities we're using, it's pretty unlikely to be delivering enough energy at the foetus' depth to be making any significant temperature changes.
But yeah, in literally decades of using Doppler and ultrasound clinically, we haven't shown harm, but no professional body supports recreational/entertainment use because there's no benefit and there is the theoretical possibility of harm. I personally consider the fact that listening regularly significantly decreases my stress level to be a significant benefit so for that reason I feel completely comfortable using my Doppler daily for short periods.
But talk to your doctor. I'm only a professional nerd at this point.
K.
Son, K, 9 | Daughter, C, 5 | Daughter, M, expected November 7, 2016
Thanks for your professional nerd opinion. I do agree with you regarding the reduction of stress. I'm seriously a stress case and hearing that heart beat brings my anxiety level down big time.
@AlexLindzz I would just stop trying! I don't mean that in a bad way but I tried several times last week (I'll be 11 weeks tomorrow, or actually today according to my OB appt.) and it bothered me so much to not find it that I snuck back into my RE for an ultrasound. I thought I found it once but then I tried again and couldn't and then wasn't actually sure I ever had found it in the first place. It's now in the closet on the top shelf and won't be coming out for a long time. Plus when I inquired about the frequent ultrasounds - I've had 7 TV ultrasounds already - my RE said it was fine but that there isn't data on someone using a home Doppler everyday and that he suggested against it, which was fine by me! I know it gives some people peace of mind to hear it frequently but it was causing me too much stress not being able to find it that I don't think it's worth it for me, at this point.
@AlexLindzz I would just stop trying! I don't mean that in a bad way but I tried several times last week (I'll be 11 weeks tomorrow, or actually today according to my OB appt.) and it bothered me so much to not find it that I snuck back into my RE for an ultrasound. I thought I found it once but then I tried again and couldn't and then wasn't actually sure I ever had found it in the first place. It's now in the closet on the top shelf and won't be coming out for a long time. Plus when I inquired about the frequent ultrasounds - I've had 7 TV ultrasounds already - my RE said it was fine but that there isn't data on someone using a home Doppler everyday and that he suggested against it, which was fine by me! I know it gives some people peace of mind to hear it frequently but it was causing me too much stress not being able to find it that I don't think it's worth it for me, at this point.
ETA: grammar
Totally. I put it away since my u/s then got it out again now that I'm 10w. Maybe I should just hold off until 12w...
My H got me one for my bday. We are 11 weeks and have been able to find it. Once you find your heart beat, staying in that spot and change the angle is what has worked for us! Once you find it, it becomes easier because you know the spot to start.
@AlexLindzz When we first received our Doppler we could only find my HB. After watching multiple YouTube videos and learning to position the probe we finally found it. Your baby is not only behind your public bone, he/she is behind your bladder as well. We had to go really low to find it and on really weird angles.
Also, the first day we found the HB, it was on the right side. The next day, way on the left. I laughed with DH cause the following day I said "watch it be back on the right side again" and it wasn't. The heartbeat was directly in the middle. Our babies are straight movin' like crazy. I feel like if we didn't sit there for so long with patience and me dealing with the pain of the pressure from the probe, we never would have found it. It's easy to lose the HB too. Good luck if you decide to try again. It's the most amazing sound when you do finally hear it!!!
Me:23 DH:32 Married 5/14/13 TTC #1 since 5/14 TTC #1 w/ treatments since 5/15 BFN 7/15 BFP 8/15-MMC 9/15 BFP 10/15- Diagnosed BO 12/15 BFP 2/16-EDD 11/18/2016
For people having trouble, there's also the possibility that you have an anterior placenta (placenta in the front of your uterus, not the back). I had one with my first daughter, and even my midwife couldn't get the heartbeat on a dopplar at 12 weeks. There's nothing wrong with having one, but things are a little more muffled until baby gets bigger.
H has asked that I don't even try our dopplar until my doc has used one successfully on me at an appt. Just so we know it's possible to hear.
For people having trouble, there's also the possibility that you have an anterior placenta (placenta in the front of your uterus, not the back). I had one with my first daughter, and even my midwife couldn't get the heartbeat on a dopplar at 12 weeks. There's nothing wrong with having one, but things are a little more muffled until baby gets bigger.
H has asked that I don't even try our dopplar until my doc has used one successfully on me at an appt. Just so we know it's possible to hear.
I have a tilted uterus, which also doesn't help! I think waiting until the doctor is able to successfully get a heartbeat is a great idea. I'm not getting a home doppler because I know I'll just freak myself out.
**TW**
Me: 35 | H: 40 Married Sept. 2013 DS1: Nov 11, 2016 MMC: 11/16/18 (9w6d) CP: 2/3/19 (5w3d) BFP! 8/24/19 DS2: May 10, 2020
Because of my septate uterus, the baby is on the left and higher than I thought, like half way from my pubic bone to my belly button. I'm 10w6d and can find it fairly easily. It takes slow circular movements, in a small area hat you know your LO would be in.
MMC 01/26/12
MC 12/25/12, D&C 01/05/13
BFP 03/05/13, EDD 11/12/13. HB 175 @ 9w2d. Its a Girl!
Madeline Lorraine H. Born 11/12/13 @9:10pm, 7lb6oz
DX with EA/TEF Type C & Tracheomalaysia MC @ 13wks 01/15/15
DX Septate Uterus - surgery recommended
BFP 3/18/16, EDD 11/13/16 It's a boy! Clint Kiszonas H. Born 11/21/16 @10:38pm, 9lb11oz
We found baby's heartbeat yesterday @ 11+5. I had tried 3 times prior to the successful attempt. I watched a lot of YouTube videos for guidance. I also tried it with both a full bladder and empty bladder & with a full stomach or empty stomach. What ultimately worked for me was doing it on an empty bladder, full stomach and I used a lot of gel rather than the small amount they say to use. I have no idea if that helped, but it worked so I will likely do that every time.
Re: The dreaded home doppler
I'm only able to find mine occasionally. Even while I am listening, sometimes the baby moves into a position where I can't hear it.
Son, K, 9 | Daughter, C, 5 | Daughter, M, expected November 7, 2016
Now I will put the Doppler away for two weeks and stop the insanity.
Married Sept. 2013
DS1: Nov 11, 2016
MMC: 11/16/18 (9w6d)
CP: 2/3/19 (5w3d)
BFP! 8/24/19
DS2: May 10, 2020
I have been suffering from hand cramps too, haha.
Son, K, 9 | Daughter, C, 5 | Daughter, M, expected November 7, 2016
We don't know of any harm caused by ultrasound after decades of using it, that's the first important thing. There's plenty of (nonsense) blogs and stuff out there that completely misunderstand the science and get pageclicks from fearmongering articles, but youll find that about anything. It's possible - sound waves are energy, after all - but highly unlikely that the frequencies and intensities used in obstetric ultrasound or Doppler is harmful. But because we can't completely rule out the possibility of harm, non-diagnostic use is discouraged. All of medicine is risk vs. benefit, so if you're doing something 'recreationally' (thus for no medical benefit) then no amount of risk - actual or potential - is medically acceptable. It's one of those 'can't prove a negative' sort of situations. But it's really, really, really unlikely after decades of millions upon millions of scans per year that we've missed major risks associated with it.
As the FDA points out, ultrasound waves do increase temperature of tissue (this has clinical applications, actually) but at the intensities we're using, it's pretty unlikely to be delivering enough energy at the foetus' depth to be making any significant temperature changes.
But yeah, in literally decades of using Doppler and ultrasound clinically, we haven't shown harm, but no professional body supports recreational/entertainment use because there's no benefit and there is the theoretical possibility of harm. I personally consider the fact that listening regularly significantly decreases my stress level to be a significant benefit so for that reason I feel completely comfortable using my Doppler daily for short periods.
But talk to your doctor. I'm only a professional nerd at this point.
Son, K, 9 | Daughter, C, 5 | Daughter, M, expected November 7, 2016
For those who have found it: do you locate it at about the public area? Higher or lower than expected? Off to the side? Just looking for motivation
@AlexLindzz I would just stop trying! I don't mean that in a bad way but I tried several times last week (I'll be 11 weeks tomorrow, or actually today according to my OB appt.) and it bothered me so much to not find it that I snuck back into my RE for an ultrasound. I thought I found it once but then I tried again and couldn't and then wasn't actually sure I ever had found it in the first place. It's now in the closet on the top shelf and won't be coming out for a long time. Plus when I inquired about the frequent ultrasounds - I've had 7 TV ultrasounds already - my RE said it was fine but that there isn't data on someone using a home Doppler everyday and that he suggested against it, which was fine by me! I know it gives some people peace of mind to hear it frequently but it was causing me too much stress not being able to find it that I don't think it's worth it for me, at this point.
ETA: grammar
Also, the first day we found the HB, it was on the right side. The next day, way on the left. I laughed with DH cause the following day I said "watch it be back on the right side again" and it wasn't. The heartbeat was directly in the middle. Our babies are straight movin' like crazy. I feel like if we didn't sit there for so long with patience and me dealing with the pain of the pressure from the probe, we never would have found it. It's easy to lose the HB too. Good luck if you decide to try again. It's the most amazing sound when you do finally hear it!!!
Married 5/14/13
TTC #1 since 5/14
TTC #1 w/ treatments since 5/15
BFN 7/15
BFP 8/15-MMC 9/15
BFP 10/15- Diagnosed BO 12/15
BFP 2/16-EDD 11/18/2016
H has asked that I don't even try our dopplar until my doc has used one successfully on me at an appt. Just so we know it's possible to hear.
BFP 3.8.16 EDD 11.20.16
Married Sept. 2013
DS1: Nov 11, 2016
MMC: 11/16/18 (9w6d)
CP: 2/3/19 (5w3d)
BFP! 8/24/19
DS2: May 10, 2020
MMC 01/26/12
MC 12/25/12, D&C 01/05/13
BFP 03/05/13, EDD 11/12/13. HB 175 @ 9w2d. Its a Girl!
DX with EA/TEF Type C & Tracheomalaysia
MC @ 13wks 01/15/15
BFP 1/11/18, EDD 9/21/18